Five militants killed as NW Pakistan camp attack foiled
PESHAWAR, Dec 19: Security forces in northwest Pakistan killed five militants after foiling a suicide attack on a security camp in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police said on Friday. The incident occurred at Boya Fort in Datta Khel tehsil of North Waziristan, near the Afghan border. According to police, a suicide bomber drove an explosive-laden vehicle into the camp and detonated it, allowing four other militants to enter and open fire. Security personnel responded quickly, killing all five attackers. Four security personnel were injured during the exchange of fire. Following the explosion, security forces sealed off the area and launched a clearance operation. Police, additional security forces, rescue teams, medical staff, and a bomb disposal squad were deployed to manage the situation and assess the site. The attack comes two months after a similar suicide attempt on a military camp in Mir Ali, also in North Waziristan, was foiled, killing four terrorists. Pakistan, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has seen a rise in militant attacks and ranked second in the Global Terrorism Index 2025. (PTI)
9 injured in Taipei smoke grenade, knife attack
TAIPEI, Dec 19: At least nine people were injured in a smoke grenade and knife attack in central Taipei on Friday, authorities said. The suspect first threw smoke grenades at Taipei Main subway station, causing panic among commuters. He then rode the subway for one stop, exited, and threw additional smoke grenades on the street. According to media footage, the suspect was armed with a knife, which he waved at pedestrians before fleeing into a shop, prompting screams and chaos. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an said four of the injured were seriously hurt. Premier Cho Jung-ta added that one victim collapsed after being attacked and was already in cardiac arrest before being taken to hospital, while another suffered respiratory injuries from the smoke. Authorities are investigating the suspect’s background and have ordered increased security at train and subway stations nationwide. (AP)
Indian-origin cab driver charged in rape case in US
NEW YORK, Dec 19: A 35-year-old Indian-origin cab driver has been charged with the alleged rape of an unconscious passenger in the US state of California, according to the district attorney’s office. The accused, Simranjit Singh Sekhon of Bakersfield, pleaded not guilty during his first court appearance on Wednesday. According to a press release by the Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko, Sekhon, a driver for a cab-hailing service provider, picked up the victim outside a bar late on November 27 to transport her to her home. Sekhon allegedly continued driving the victim, who was intoxicated and had passed out, after the ride ended and sexually assaulted her. He was arrested on Monday and was charged with rape of an unconscious person and the aggravating factor of the victim being particularly vulnerable. Sekhon remains in custody with bail set at USD 500,000. An early disposition conference has been scheduled for December 29. (PTI)
